No. 1 Bishop Gorman gets tough when it counts, beats Don Bosco Prep

Video: Pregame - Bishop Gorman
Go behind the scenes as the nation's top team prepares for its game with Don Bosco Prep (N.J.).

LAS VEGAS — It's easier said the done: Don't look at the scoreboard. Take one drive at a time.

Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) coach Kenny Sanchez has been preaching it all season. And, when it counted most, when Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) — a sound, disciplined, tough bunch from across the country — hit the Gaels with big solid punches, Gorman punched back.

Like champions do. National champions.

The defending mythical champs responded to their first deficit of the season with 17 straight points, and then when Bosco fought within a touchdown late, the Gaels hit harder with an 80-yard knockout scoring drive en route to a 30-16 home victory Friday night.

Texas A&M-bound junior quarterback Tate Martell threw for 190 yards and accounted for three touchdowns while speedy junior Biaggio Walsh rushed for 210 yards and the game-clinching TD as the Gaels (9-0) won their 33rd straight game while completing what most believe was their last big hurdle toward a second straight national crown.

"That's the best team we've faced all year," said Sanchez, whose team has beaten some awfully good ones. "Coach (Greg) Toal is no joke in terms of toughness. But we believe we're tough too. We model toughness like them." The Gaels were seemingly in control, up 23-10 with 1:31 left in the third quarter after a Martell 6-yard touchdown run. After a couple three-and-outs on both sides, Bosco (4-3), a two-time mythical national champion, climbed to within 23-16 after a 3-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Devito to John Bowen with 5:17 to go.

"We knew it wasn't going to be easy," Martell said. "But that's why we work all summer for drives like this."

Sanchez didn't say much other than not to look at the scoreboard.

"Just focus up," he said.

They did, and rode the legs of Walsh, who carried the ball eight times on the final drive for 65 yards, finishing it off with a 1-yard plunge with 1:30 left, to go up 30-16.

An interception by Gorman middle linebacker Ferrall Hester cemented the win.

"Biaggio showed he's not just fast but he can run over people," Sanchez said. "Those guys hit hard but he was always moving forward. That was impressive."

Martell had equal praise for his teammate.

"Biaggio is going to have a lot of college coaches looking at him soon," he said.

On the other side, Toal was pleased with his team's effort against the national power.

"That's a heck of a football team," he said of Gorman. "They have great speed. The quarterback is outstanding. They're a tough team." Bosco struck first as three third-down completions from junior quarterback DeVito and a nine-yard run by Malik Bakker set up Bakker's 1-yard touchdown run with 2:06 left in the first quarter.

The Ironmen contained Gorman's high octane offense the first two series, but Martell got it going on the game's next series. He also scrambled three times for gains, setting up a 23-yard touchdown over the middle to Tyjon Lindsey to tie the score at 7-7 with 10:40 left in the second quarter.

"(Martell) is a tough player to stop, that's for sure," Toal said. "He's hard to keep boxed in."

A 65-yard scamper by Walsh set up a 38-yard field goal by Derek Ng with 7:01 left in the half and Gorman had its first lead, up 10-7.

Once again, Martell's ability to extend plays with his legs keyed the next scoring drive and his 31-yard touchdown strike to Brandon Gahagan on fourth down gave the Gaels a 17-7 lead with 3:13 left in the half.

Bosco closed the half with a superb drive and a 39-yard field goal by Ethan Cordaro had plenty of distance. That made it 17-10 at halftime.

"I thought at times we played well," Toal said. "We had our moments."

Starting defensive back Julian Conover said the Ironmen played well.

"We just couldn't finish," he said. "But I'm glad we came across country and played the No. 1 team in the country. It was exciting. … We played our hearts out and I love my team. I'm proud of them."

Gorman played most of the game without two defensive starters, defensive end Haskell Garrett and Brendan Radley-Hiles — both left early with injuries. Garrett is the No. 3 junior defensive tackle in the country, according to 247Sports.

Hester said the defense's "next man up," attitude was key. Gorman did a superb job of shutting down the run, which is Bosco's bread-and-butter.

"Our whole school is built on toughness," Hester said. "People might think we're a finesse team, but we're not."